Transfer station for API seed crystals

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a big-bag transfer station for API seed crystals. The transfer station may permit the filling of smaller containers, such as bags or pouches, from a large container, such as a big bag. The transfer station may permit the transfer without contaminating the atmosphere of the room in which the station is housed. Additionally, the transfer station may limit cross-contamination between filling cycles by employing single-use liners.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for transferring a biological or pharmaceutical product from a dispensing container to a receiving container comprising:
 flowing a biological or pharmaceutical product from a dispensing container through a sealed conduit to a receiving container, the sealed conduit including a rigid section and a flexible feed sleeve that extends from the dispensing container to the rigid section of the conduit, wherein the biological or pharmaceutical product flows through the flexible feed sleeve into the livid section of the conduit, the rigid section being lined by a flexible conduit liner, the flexible conduit liner including a first end and a second and opposite end, the flexible conduit liner preventing the biological or pharmaceutical product from contacting a surface of the rigid section; 
 containing residual biological or pharmaceutical product within the flexible conduit liner after flow of the biological or pharmaceutical product has ceased;
 removing the flexible conduit liner from the conduit without releasing the contained residual biological or pharmaceutical product from within the flexible conduit liner; and 
 
 wherein the method further includes the steps of: 
 after flow of the biological or pharmaceutical product has ceased, crimping the used flexible feed sleeve at an intermediate section and separatism the flexible teed sleeve into two parts wherein each part includes a sealed end where the flexible feed sleeve as been crimped; 
 inserting a second and unused flexible feed sleeve between the two separate parts of the used flexible teed sleeve and extending the second flexible feed sleeve over each part of the used flexible feed sleeve such that the second flexible feed sleeve extends from the dispensing container to the rigid section of the conduit; and 
 removing the separated parts of the used flexible feed sleeve from within the second flexible feed sleeve without permitting release of a residual biological or pharmaceutical product. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of containing residual biological or pharmaceutical product within the flexible conduit liner includes at least one of:
 sealing the first end of the flexible conduit liner; 
 sealing the second end of the flexible conduit liner; and 
 sealing an access port of the flexible conduit liner. 
 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the conduit includes an access port, the access port being covered by a flexible containment bag, and wherein the flexible containment bag is inserted into the conduit for enveloping and removing at least one part of the used flexible feed sleeve. 
     
     
       4. A method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the flexible containment bag includes a continuous supply of flexible material such that multiple individual bags can be formed from the continuous supply and wherein the flexible containment bag also envelops and removes the flexible conduit liner after flow of the biological or pharmaceutical product has ceased. 
     
     
       5. A method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the flexible conduit liner envelops a portion of the flexible containment bag after flow of the biological or pharmaceutical product has ceased. 
     
     
       6. A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the method includes the steps of:
 inserting the flexible containment bag into the conduit for enveloping a part of the used flexible feed sleeve; and 
 inverting, crimping and sealing the flexible containment bag with the part of the flexible feed sleeve contained inside. 
 
     
     
       7. A method for the transfer of a biological or pharmaceutical product comprising:
 feeding a biological or pharmaceutical product from a dispensing container through a sealed conduit; 
 constricting the sealed conduit wherein the constriction forms a seal between two portions of the sealed conduit; 
 severing the sealed conduit to form two severed portions of the sealed conduit, wherein at least one of the two severed portions forms an internal seal within the sealed conduit; 
 installing a replacement portion of the sealed conduit over at least one of the constricted severed portions; and 
 removing at least one of the constricted severed portions from within the replacement portion. 
 
     
     
       8. A method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the replacement portion of the sealed conduit is placed over both of the constricted severed portions. 
     
     
       9. A method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the sealed conduit comprises a flexible feed sleeve, the flexible feed sleeve being constricted and severed into two portions. 
     
     
       10. A method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the sealed conduit further comprises a piping assembly, the flexible feed sleeve being connected to the piping assembly for allowing the flow of the biological or pharmaceutical product therethrough. 
     
     
       11. A method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the piping assembly defines an access port, the access port being covered by a flexible containment bag, and wherein the method further includes the step of extending the flexible containment bag into the sealed conduit from the access port for enveloping and removing at least one of the constricted severed portions. 
     
     
       12. A method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the piping assembly is lined by a flexible conduit liner that prevents contact between the biological or pharmaceutical product and a surface of the piping assembly, and wherein the liner is removed from the piping assembly after flow of the biological or pharmaceutical product has ceased.